The 2nd high- level East African Manufacturing Business Summit (2EAMBS) co-organized by the East African Business Council (EABC) and the East African Community (EAC) is scheduled as a three day event, to take place on 23rd -25th May 2017 at Serena Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda.

The debut East African Manufacturing Business Summit, held in October 2015 in Kampala, Uganda, had recommended the formulation of a regional policy for motor vehicles, textiles & apparels, leather & leather products to create a coherent policy regime for the development of these sectors, which are crucial for employment creation and poverty reduction.
Cotton production, processing and trade of both raw and processed products is highly influenced by policies of major producing countries, through price support, tariff protection, production subsidies and stock piling that destabilize cotton prices.

“The competitiveness of cotton industry in EAC is faced by challenges such as low yields, ginning overcapacity, low ginning outturn ratio and inefficient value addition in some partner states” said Ms. Lilian Awinja.
The current low volume cotton processed locally compared to what is exported offers a raw material base for textile and apparel manufacturing.
“Value addition in cotton Industry can create more jobs opportunities in EAC including innovation in fashion industry, as only 15% of EAC cotton is procced locally while 85% is exported in form of lint to other countries.”

The EAC 17th session Heads of States Summit directed Partner States to procure competitively, their textile and footwear requirements from within the region where quality and supply capacities are available with a view to phasing out used textiles and footwear within 3 years.

During the 2EAMBS in Kigali, there will be a dedicated round table which will analyze existing challenges and opportunities in Cotton, Textiles, Apparels, Leather and Footwear value chains and propose an action plan outlining the policies and modalities to promote the sector.
“The 2EAMBS seeks to create an avenue for the private sector under EABC to influence policy and campaign for the acceleration of industrial reforms to improve the investment conditions in the EAC strategic sectors” said Lilian Awinja EABC CEO.

Other industry round tables will be held on automotive, agro-processing & agri-business; mineral processing; pharmaceuticals; construction materials; fertilizers & agro-chemicals as well as leather & textiles.
The 2nd East African Manufacturing Business Summit will also offer an exhibition where investors, enterprises, researchers and academia can collectively showcase new products and services as well as latest innovations in manufacturing, particularly those with relevance to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, is expected as chief guest at the event and to officially open the conference and exhibition. Hon. Liberat Mfumukeko, Secretary General of the EAC as well as the respective Ministers from all EAC Partner States are also invited to demonstrate their efforts in promoting investments in the regional manufacturing sector. EABC Chairman and board of Directors will be present to actively contribute to the discussions.

The 2EAMBS is co-hosted by the Rwanda Association of Manufacturers (RAM) and the Rwandan Ministry of Trade Industry & EAC Affairs and is also strongly supported by all national Manufacturers’ Associations from the EAC partner States and is expected to attract over 400 stakeholders from public and private sector.

Notes to Editors
The East African Manufacturing Business Summit 2017 is co-organized with the East African Community (EAC) with very strong support from the Rwandan Government. The event is co-hosted by the East African Business Council (EABC) and the East African Manufacturing Associations i.e. the Rwanda Association of Manufacturers (RAM), Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA), Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI), Burundi Manufacturers Association (AIB), and Kenya Manufacturers Association (KAM). For more information visit: http://eabc-online.com/manufacturingsummit/index.html